Label Image
1997 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
Out of Stock
4.57 average rating 7 ratings – rate it
Expert Ratings
ST 91-94
read the reviews

Begin Your Search

Related Products

Additional Vintages
Other Wines from this Producer and Vintage

WineAccess Travel Log

Read stories from the world's greatest wine trails.

More About This Wine

Product Details

Napa Place Image
About Chateau Montelena

Chateau Montelena has produced wine in the Napa Valley for over 100 years. But only since 1972, when the Barret family took over management, has quality taken off. Overseeing the production of roughly 36,000 cases annually, winemaker Bo Barret produces classic, austere Cabernet Sauvignons as well as Zinfandels and Chardonnays.

Read more about Chateau Montelena »

1997 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

Producer: Chateau Montelena
Style: Red Wine
Grape Type: Cabernet Sauvignon
Origin: California
Region: Napa

Expert Reviews

91-94 Points | International Wine Cellar , May/June 1999

Deep ruby. Extremely primary, almost grapey aromas of cassis, black licorice and pungent oak, plus the floral note shown by many '97 cabernets. Fat, velvety and sweet, but with sound acidity contributing to an impression of firm structure. Concentrated, subtle and quite long, with sweet tannins. The yield was about three tons per acre-high for Montelena but very reasonable by North Coast standards in '97. Very strong potential.

Member Ratings

Your Rating & Review
7 Member Ratings
Average Member Rating:
4.57 out of 5 stars
     
5 stars
 
 (5)
     
4 stars
 
 (1)
     
3 stars
 
 (1)
     
2 stars
 
 (0)
     
1 stars
 
 (0)
     

Member Notes

Nice
11/08/2007
by rkwiner
Just opened my only bottle, wish I had more.
Excellent!
02/07/2004
by Tang10570206
Still in its infancy stage, this extraordinary cabernet exhibits a complex bouquet consisting of cassis with earthly elements such as cedar and tobacco. The high tannin level supported by a good acid level and ample fruit will suggest that this wine should be aged for at least 3-5 more years! It is also one of the few Californian wines that exhibit lots of terroir!
Have a bottle
10/28/2002
by Irish Lad
I have a bottle we purchased from the vineyard while on our honeymoon. Can't wait to open it.

Read More Member Reviews »

Explore

Napa Place Image
About Napa Valley

Napa Valley is the most famous wine-growing area in the U.S. It begins at the base of Mount St. Helena in the north and tapers off some 30 miles to the south into the floodplain where the Napa River enters San Francisco Bay. From Mount St. Helena to the city of Napa, the valley is defined by two north-south ridgelines of the Coast Range Mountains.
Read More »

Varietal Image
Cabernet Sauvignon

Cabernet Sauvignon built its reputation on Bordeaux's Left Bank. Here, in the district of Medoc, the varietal is the key component of blended wines that also may include some Merlot and Cabernet Franc, and even Malbec and Petit Verdot. Moving slightly south, Cabernet Sauvignon meets Merlot in roughly equal proportions in the red wines of Graves. In both of these Bordeaux regions, the top bottles...
Read More »